You Can’t Stop Us: The Story That Brought Us Together
A Weekly Newsletter for BOLD Thinkers | DATE, 2025 | Volume 25 Issue 05
by Stephanie Sabrina Warren
Above: A still from ‘You Can’t Stop Us’
In the summer of 2020, the world felt broken. A global pandemic had forced countries into isolation. Sports seasons were canceled. Streets were filled with protests demanding justice after the murder of George Floyd. We were distanced from one another physically, emotionally, and politically.
Around this time, Nike released a 90-second film that reminded us of something we’d almost forgotten.
You Can’t Stop Us wasn’t just an ad. It was a unifying message delivered when we needed it most. At a time of uncertainty and unrest, it gave people a reason to feel connected. Not because it ignored the moment, but because it met it head-on with empathy, honesty, and powerful storytelling.
Movement in Sync
The film’s most striking feature was its use of split-screen visuals. Athletes from different sports, backgrounds, and countries were paired side by side, their movements perfectly synchronized. A basketball player’s jump faded into a swimmer’s dive. A soccer kick mirrored a martial arts strike. Over 4,000 clips were edited to create the illusion of one, continuous, collective motion.
The result was a beautiful visual metaphor for unity. It showed us that even when we are apart, we are connected through movement, rhythm, struggle, and purpose. The symmetry didn’t flatten our differences, it celebrated them.
That’s what made it so powerful. The ad didn’t speak to one type of person. It spoke to all of us.
A Voice That Grounded the Moment
Narrated by soccer star Megan Rapinoe, the voiceover brought a calm authority to the screen. Her words guided us through footage of disruption and protest, of solo workouts and stadium lights turning back on. She didn’t sugarcoat the pain, but she reminded us of our strength.
“We’re never alone,” she said. “And that is our strength.”
The tone was steady, inclusive, and human. Rapinoe’s voice gave the film weight, but also hope. And by using the language of “we” and “us,” Nike extended an invitation to every viewer, not to be a consumer, but to be a part of something bigger.
Reflecting the World, Not Escaping It
What makes You Can’t Stop Us so important is that it didn’t try to distract from what was happening. It showed protest marches, athletes kneeling, and empty arenas with just as much reverence as Olympic victories and team huddles. It acknowledged what the world was going through. Then it showed us the power of coming through it together.
This was not about escaping reality. It was about reflecting it and helping us reimagine what was possible when we moved forward as one.
Nike featured athletes like Serena Williams, LeBron James, Naomi Osaka, and Colin Kaepernick. Not just for their talent, but for what they stand for. This wasn’t branding for branding’s sake. It was storytelling rooted in truth.
From Emotion to Impact
The emotional response to the ad was immediate, offering viewers a sense of belonging during a time when connection felt scarce.
The campaign pulled in over 53 million views on YouTube within weeks. It became one of the most-shared ads of the year. Nike’s digital sales jumped 82 percent the same quarter it aired, and the brand earned more than 10 billion dollars in revenue during that period, surpassing expectations despite the global slowdown.
Critics and creatives took note, too. The campaign won the Film Grand Prix at Cannes Lions, a Clio Gold, and a D&AD Yellow Pencil for its editing. It was named one of Ad Age’s top ads of the year and helped Nike earn recognition as Fast Company’s most innovative sports brand.
Why This Story Still Matters
In a world that often feels divided, powerful storytelling cuts through the noise. It reminds us that even when we feel separate, we are part of something shared. That struggle and strength are universal. That movement-whether in sport, protest, or simply progress-is something we can do together.
You Can’t Stop Us wasn’t made to sell a product. It was made to remind people of who they are and what they’re capable of. That kind of storytelling doesn’t fade with the news cycle. It stays with us.
When you tell a story that makes people feel seen, heard, and connected, you’re not just sharing a message or producing an ad. You’re helping connect the world.